BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Long lines and delays at airports nationwide, thanks to a massive storm traveling across the country. Add in the start of holiday travel and many passengers are left in limbo. Gigi Barnett has the details.

Across the country, winter winds are blowing. At airports, long lines are forming and thousands of flights are canceled. It’s Mother Nature’s gift to holiday passengers, especially those traveling in and out of BWI-Thurgood Marshall Airport.

“It was crazy,” said Brittanie Brown.

Brown flew in from Chicago, where she watched the storm from her college dorm, hoping it would pass in time for her 6 a.m. flight into BWI.

“It was windy; it was crazy. I thought that maybe the Mayan apocalypse was coming,” Brown said.

This was no apocalypse, just winter woes.

After leaving Chicago, the storm swept through Dayton, Columbia and Detroit. Friday morning, airlines canceled nearly 500 flights and delayed some 2,900 others. The shifts left many passengers in limbo and closely watching flight boards.

“It was about a four hour delay, then they called me back and it was about a three hour delay. They they called me back and it was no delay. I mean, it just keeps changing,” said Rebecca Hickman.

Hickman wants to celebrate the season in sunny LA, but with a layover in the Midwest, she was bound to run into the storm. After waiting for hours, she’s finally on her way.

“It’s the price you pay. I’m just happy to get there in one piece,” she said.

The storm dumped up to 20 inches of snow, causing traffic deaths in Nebraska, Wisconsin and Kansas.